Sunday's letters to the editor

February 10, 2013

I-595 on-ramp woes

Thank you for the recent article on Interstate 595. I'm glad to see there may be some changes made to the dangerous "rabbit run" that presently exists. The point that wasn't mentioned, in the otherwise fine piece, is the fact that in the final plan there will be no State Road 84 on-ramp to westbound I-595, as there was before the construction began. This forces westbound traffic from U.S. Route 441, the Florida Turnpike and S.R. 84 into the rabbit run, which all then comes to a stoplight — really dumb — at Davie Road, where it is funneled into a one-lane flyover on-ramp.

Here's the math: four on-ramps reduced to one — after the traffic light — not smart or safe.

After spending over a $1 billion and what will be four years of construction, I think we deserve better than this. At the least, the S.R. 84 on-ramp should be put back, reducing the pressure on the rabbit run.

Jim Parks, Davie

Comcast needs more staffing

Regarding Maria Mallory White's recent article on the long lines at Comcast service centers: The spokesperson is not completely forthcoming.

In the middle of October, before the influx of snowbirds, the waiting lines at the Lake Worth and Boca Raton branches were at least 2 1/2 hours long. At the Boca Raton office, the security guard regularly shuts the doors to avoid overcrowding and violating fire marshall regulations.

Additionally, neither Comcast's online solutions nor its telephone representatives are set up to solve "bulk account" problems. A bulk account is what most condo owners have — the association is the customer, not the individual. And in South Florida, a very large percentage of customers is made up of bulk accounts.

In summary, despite what the Comcast spokesperson says, the company is not properly staffed to handle their customer load in season or out, and if you live in a condo, your only recourse for service and equipment issues is to show up in person.

I was a nerd growing up — great with math, horrible with girls. I think this ad will give hope to kids who think they are repulsive to women and unpopular. Knowing that a beautiful girl is making out with a nerd and enjoying it gives us nerds hope. Maybe being so smart and ugly isn't such a bad thing. This beautiful model is hardly repulsed; rather; she is enjoying the kiss.

The world is changing. Being geeky is cool. Knowing the tricks of the iPhone and Internet is really cool. And now, even beautiful girls are taking notice. Thank you, GoDaddy, for giving us nerds and our little children nerds some hope. It may be a little sloppy — the kiss, that is – but let's just say bravo to the nerd and move on.

The value of wearing a helmet is self-evident. It protects your head from severe injury. It's also a no-brainer if you look at the latest football statistics.

We are required to wear seatbelts when riding in our autos to assist in preventing severe injury when an accident occurs. Medical costs are, thus, also reduced. Parents caution their children to wear protection when on a bike. Even skateboarders have knee and elbow protections.

So why is there so much adverse thinking by lawmakers on strict helmet laws for motorcyclists? Count the riders without helmets and you will be shocked at the ratio of wearers versus naked heads.

Perhaps, those who choose to opt out of a helmet should be required to pony up $250,000 to cover the cost of treatment and rehabilitation.

Robert Goldberg, Hollywood

Support U.S. PostalService decision

I fully support the U.S. Postal Service's decision to eliminate mail delivery on Saturday. It's 2012. In the electronic age, there is no need for mail service six days a week.

I would even support three days a week. More than half of what I get in the mail is junk anyway. The USPS is in serious financial trouble and, as a taxpayer, enough is enough. The U.S. Postal Workers Union needs to let go and move forward.

Martin Smith, Fort Lauderdale

Broward taxpayers should be able to vote like Miami-Dade

In rejecting the Pets' Trust initiative to stop the euthanasia of unwanted animals, Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief states that she "cannot (put) animals before humans," while other commissioners lament making animals "more important" than human issues such as homelessness, foreclosures or pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Such comments are more than just another sad example of government indifference toward animals. They reflect a shocking dishonesty or purposeful misrepresentation regarding the innumerable and ever-expanding list of taxpayer-funded programs that already exist for such purposes.

Broward taxpayers should have the same opportunity as Miami-Dade to vote on this important inititiative in 2014, and prove that we are more intelligent and compassionate than those who were unfortunately elected to "represent" our county.